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Cycling?

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So I understand the whole cycle process and all but I had a quick question. What should be added to help start the cycle? I'm planning on just setting my 20 gallon up without a stand or hood or anything and just letting it cycle on the floor, and I'm wondering what I should add to the tank to help the cycle start? Should I add ammonia? Or can I just add in fish flakes??

I have found it to be a whole lot easier doing a fishless cycle with pure ammonia (and I have done both).

I would suggest not using flakes and to use pure ammonia

If you take your time to do the research FIRST, you can successfully set-up and keep ANY type of aquarium with ease."Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony CalfoFishless CycleCycling with FishMarine Aquarium Info [URL="http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/"]

Fish flakes will work, but it is easier to control levels with bottled ammonia.

If it's called tourist season why can't I shoot them?
Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes that reason is you are stupid and make bad decisions. I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.
A moderator on a fish forum should be able to identify an oscar... Don't you think?

Can either of you recommend a brand of ammonia to buy? I've heard that there's some type of chemical or something that you should be sure to check isn't in the ammonia as it can be harmful to the aquaria.

If it's called tourist season why can't I shoot them?
Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes that reason is you are stupid and make bad decisions. I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.
A moderator on a fish forum should be able to identify an oscar... Don't you think?

EDIT: It seems my local stores don't carry that brand... Does anyone else know any good brands that can be used??? My dad's at work now and I would like to have him stop and get ammonia on his way home so I need a good brand recommendation before like 11pm tonight. I know that is should not contain soaps, fragrances, or surfactants but knowing my father it'll be easier to tell him a specific brand to look for.

Okay I just checked my bathroom and found ammonia. Its White Rose Clear Ammonia(all purpose cleaner). It does not have a list of additives or anything and the only written info on it is how to use it when cleaning.. There's no added fragrance(I know this because it does not say it on the bottle plus when I opened it and smelt it, it still smelt like ammonia death) and when shaken it does not foam and only creates a few bubbles that quickly rise to the surface and pop. Do you guys believe it is safe to use?

EDIT: Never mind I found the ingredients. It only lists 'soft water' and 'ammonia' does that mean it is safe?

If it's called tourist season why can't I shoot them?
Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes that reason is you are stupid and make bad decisions. I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.
A moderator on a fish forum should be able to identify an oscar... Don't you think?

Not the same bottle design/shape I think my bottle is larger but yes that is the brand I'm using. Thank you very much for the help :D If my father purchases the new filter tubing, media, and rubber feet for my canister filter I should have it set up in the next week or so. So I should have a Journal up in the next few weeks on the changes that are going to be occurring for my two 10 gallons and for the set up of my 20 :D

When I googled the brand several different varieties came up, cloudy, lemon, etc... As long as the label on the bottle is the same, meaning the one you have doesn't have fragrance or soap (which you have already determined it doesn't), it doesn't matter the size/shape of the bottle. I am looking forward to reading your journal.

If it's called tourist season why can't I shoot them?
Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes that reason is you are stupid and make bad decisions. I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.
A moderator on a fish forum should be able to identify an oscar... Don't you think?